One piece memorandum pad holder for telephone switchboards



July 31, 1956 c. R. YOUNG, JR 2,757,022

ONE PIECE MEMORANDUM PAD HOLDER FOR TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARDS Filed May 19, 1955 INVENTOR COURTNEY R. YOUNG JR.

% 24mg. E QG ATTORNEY United States Patent ONE PIECE MEMORANDUM PAD HOLDER FOR TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARDS Courtney R. Young, Jr., Falls Church, Va.

Application May 19, 1955, Serial No. 509,648

Claims. (Cl. 281-) This invention relates to supports and more particularly to a one-piece holder which may be removably secured to a conventional telephone switchboard for holding a memorandum pad in a position convenient to the telephone operator.

Conventional telephone switchboards are commonly provided with an upstanding portion containing jacks and signal lights and with a horizontal shelf portion extending from the base thereof, in which are situated plugs for connecting cables to the jacks and also, switches for manipulating certain circuits. This shelf is commonly termed a key shelf, and between the switch keys and the forward edge of the shelf there is a clear space which is normally used by the operator to receive various articles, such as pencils or the like. Frequently it is desirable for the operator to make notes or memoranda, as to certain calls and also, it is often desirable, that such notes or memoranda be made with reference to certain keys on the key shelf. These switchboards are commonly provided with fifteen keys and accordingly, in order to identify such keys, it has been necessary to make notes or memoranda together with identifying numbers or some other identifying means and this has often resulted in mistakes or in difiiculty in determining which key or switch is referred to.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a one-piece memorandum pad holder which may be conveniently and removably secured to a conventional key shelf of a telephone switchboard and which will serve to removably clamp and hold a memorandum pad in a position convenient to the operator and in which notes or memoranda referring to each key may be made directly in line or in front of such key.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a one-piece memorandum pad holder for telephone switchboards which may be conveniently and economically manufactured from a readily available material, such as a suitable plastic, and in which means is provided for clamping a memorandum pad in place and in a definite location and which is operable to permit convenient and rapid removal and replacement of such pad.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a one-piece memorandum pad holder for telephone switchboards which may be provided with advertising indicia on a removable card and which may be manufactured at sufficiently low cost to permit free distribution of the same as an advertising medium.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a one-piece memorandum pad holder for telephone switchboards which serves to firmly retain a memorandum pad and which may be removably secured to the conventional telephone switchboard without requiring structural alterations or modifications thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a one-piece memorandum pad holder which may be detachably secured to a shelf or the like and in which the operation of applying the same to such shelf also operates "ice to securely clamp a memorandum pad in place in the holder.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a one-piece memorandum pad holder which may be detachably secured to the edge of a shelf, table or the like, and which operates to protect the edge of such pad and prevent tearing or damage thereto by the arms or sleeves of the user.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a portion of a conventional telephone switchboard, together with a portion of a memorandum pad holder constructed in accordance with this invention and applied to the key shelf of such switchboard.

Fig. 2, a top plan view of a one-piece memorandum pad holder constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 3, a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2 and showing the gripping flange for securing the holder to a telephone switchboard key shelf or other support;

Fig. 4, a top plan view similar to Fig. 2, and showing a slightly modified form of the invention in which upstanding studs are provided as locating means for a pad secured thereto; and

Fig. 5, a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing the memorandum pad holder of this invention secured on a shelf and also the manner in which a memorandum pad is clamped in place on such pad holder.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown in Fig. l, a portion of a conventional telephone switchboard which may include a key shelf 10 supported on a suitable stand or base 11, the keyshelf 10 serving to support a plurality of plugs 12 which are attached to cables and which are adapted to be received in jacks on another portion of the switchboard which is not shown. The key shelf 10 also serves to support a plurality of keys or switches 13 which are manipulated by the operator to control the various telephone circuits associated with the plugs 12. The key shelf 10 is provided with a forwardly extending portion 14 having a front edge 15 and a top surface 16 which is normally utilized by the op erator to receive various articles, such as pencils or the like.

Since it is frequently necessary and desirable for the operator to make notes or memoranda regarding certain calls and since it is often necessary to relate such notes or memoranda to particular keys 13, there is provided by this invention a memorandum pad holder designated generally 17, and which may be constructed in one piece from a suitable material, such as transparent plastic or the like. As shown in the drawing, the memorandum pad holder 17 may well comprise an elongated generally rectangular base 18 and, at the rear edge 19 of such base, there may be provided integral, inwardly extending spaced clips 20 which overlie a portion of the base 19 and these clips Zll serve to receive one edge of a memorandum pad 21 and prevent displacement thereof. The front edge 22 of the base 18 is bent inwardly in overlying spaced relation to the base 18 and, as shown in Fig. 3, this overlying portion 23 is substantially parallel to the base 18 and provides a pad clamping member which operates in a manner to be presently described.

The rear edge 24 of the clamping member 23 is bent forwardly in overlying relation to the clamping member 23 and provides a portion 25 which with clamping member 23 provides a channel for removably receiving a card 26 bearing advertising indicia, such as shown at 26 in Fig. 1, and the portion 25 is bent downwardly at 27 to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge 15 of the overhanging portion 14 of the key shelf 10. At the lower edge, the skirt 27 is bent rearwardly and upwardly to provide a gripping flange 28 which may be bent or flexed downwardly to grip the lower surface of the overhanging portion 14 of the key shelf and secure the memorandum pad holder 17 in place thereon.

It is to be noted, that, as shown in Fig. 3, with the pad holder 1'7 removed from the shelf 1%, that the pad clamping portion 23 is substantially parallel to the base 1'8 and that'the gripping flange 28 extends upwardly at an angle with respect to the base 18. Upon application of the pad holder 17 to the portion 14 of the key shelf 10, the gripping flange 23 is bent downwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, and this movement of the flange 28 operates to bend the clamping portion 23 downwardly into engagement with the memorandum pad 21 to securely clamp the same on the base '18. ,The pad 21 is thus securely clamped in position and, if it is desired to remove the same from the pad holder 17, such pad holder may he slipped off the portion 14 of the key shelf 1f) whereupon the clamping portion or member 23 will move upwardly to the position shown in'Fig. 3, thus freeing the pad 21 for convenient removal.

By the above described construction of the pad holder 17, the pad 21 is automatically clamped thereto or released for removal and replacement merely by applying the pad holder 17 to the overhanging portion 14' of the key shelf 10, or by removing the pad holder 17 therefrom. It is also to be noted, that the skirt 27 and portion 25 of the pad holder 17 operate to protect the forward edge of the memorandum pad 21 and thereby prevent tearing or other damage thereto by movement of the operators arms over such edge. Also, if desired, the pad 21 may be provided with a plurality of transverse lines 29 which serve to divide the same into a plurality of spaces 30, each space corresponding to a key 13 and being positioned in front of such key. It is therefore, convenient for the operator to make notes or memoranda corresponding to each key and to refer to such notes or memoranda at a later time with no danger of relating the same to the wrong key.

In Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown a modification of the memorandum pad holder of this invention and in which the overhanging clips are dispensed with and in which the base 18 is provided adjacent the rear edge 19 thereof, with spaced, upstanding studs or pins 31 which may be formed integral with the base 18 and which studs 31 may project through apertures appropriately located in the memorandum pad 21. By this form of the invention, it will be seen that the pad 21 may be accurately located longitudinally of the pad holder 17 and in this way, the spaces 36 on the pad 21 will be accurately positioned in front of the appropriate keys 13.

Also, if desired, the base 18 may be provided at the rear edge 19 thereof, with a continuous overlying flange which would serve the same purpose as the clips 20, but would serve to completely enclose the entire rear edge of the pad 21.

The complete pad holder 17 may be molded from a single piece of plastic or other suitable material, or may be formed in any other convenient or desired manner and in view of the construction thereof, the cost may be maintaincd at a sufficiently low figure to permit distribution of the same for advertising purposes in which case, either a nominal charge or no charge at all, would be made for such pad holder. It is further to be noted, that no modification or alteration of the telephone switchboard is necessary and that the pad holder 17 may be applied thereto or removed therefrom, simply by bending or flexing the gripping flange 28 and furthermore, the pad holder of this invention is, of course, well adapted to be applied to any shelf, table or other supporting surface having an overhanging edge adapted to receive the gripping flange 28 therebeneath.

It will be apparent fr om the above, that the memorandum pad holder of this invention provides an extremely economical device which may be conveniently utilized by telephone switchboard operators to facilitate the making of notes or memoranda-and which may likewise, be utilized in other locations for similar purposes and which holder may be manufactured and sold at an extremely low cost or, in fact, distributed free for advertising purposes.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited bythat which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edgeof a key shelf of a telephone switchboard, said holder comprising an elongated generally rectangular sheet of non-metallic material to be disposed on said shelf in front of the keys mounted thereon and providing a base for a pad, integral spaced clips on the rear edge of said base said clips overlying a portion of said base, the front edgeof said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member to provide a card receiving channel and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said key shelf, the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a shelf gripping flange and an indicia-bearing card removably received in said channel whereby with a pad disposed on saidbase beneath said clip and clamping member said base may be disposed on said key shelf and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said shelf, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place thereon.

2, A one-piece memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edge of the key shelf of a telephone switchboard, said holder comprising an elongated generally rectangular sheet of material to be disposed on said shelf in front of the keys mounted thereon and providing a base for a pad, integral spacedrclips on the rear edge of said base, said clips overlying a portion of said base, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to pro: vide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned'forwardly in overlying relation to said member to provide a card receiving channel and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said key shelf, the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly, and upwardly to provide a shelf gripping flange and an indicia bearing card removably received in said channel whereby with a pad disposed on said base beneath said clips and clamping member said base may be disposed on said key shelf and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said shelf, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place thereon.

3. A one-piece memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edge of the key shelf of a telephone switchboard, said holder comprising an elongated generally rectangular sheet of material to be disposed on said shelf in front of the keys mounted thereon and providing a base for a pad, integral spaced clips on the rear edge of said base, said clips overlying a portion of said base, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said key shelf -and'the loweredge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a shelf gripping flangevvhereby witha pad disposed on said base beneath said-clip and clamping member said base may be disposed on said key shelf and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said shelf, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place there- 4. A one-piece memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the key shelf of a telephone switchboard, said holder comprising an elongated generally rectangular sheet of material to be disposed on said shelf in front of the keys mounted thereon and providing a base for a pad, pad engaging means adjacent the rear edge of said base, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said key shelf, the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a shelf gripping flange whereby with a pad disposed on said base beneath said clamping member and in engagement with said means said base may be disposed on said key shelf and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said shelf, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place thereon.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said pad engaging means comprises upstanding studs on said base for engaging apertures in said pad.

6. A one-piece memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edge of a supporting surface, said holder comprising an elongated generally rectangular sheet of material to be disposed on said surface and providing a base for a pad, pad engaging means adjacent the rear edge of said base, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member to provide a card receiving channel and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said surface, the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a support gripping flange and an indicia bearing card removably received in said channel whereby with a pad disposed on said base beneath said clamping member and in engagement with said means said base may be disposed on said support and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said support, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place thereon.

7. A one-piece memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edge of a supporting surface, said holder comprising an elongated generally rectangular sheet of material to be disposed on said surface and providing a base for a pad, pad engaging means adjacent the rear edge of said base, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relations to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said surface and the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a support gripping flange whereby with a pad disposed on said base beneath said clamping member and in engagement with said means said base may be disposed on said support and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said support, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place there- 8. A memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edge of a supporting surface, said holder comprising a sheet of material to be disposed on said surface and providing a base for a pad, pad engaging means adjacent the rear edge of said base, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said surface and the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a support gripping flange whereby with a pad disposed on said base beneath said clamping member and in engagement with said means said base may be disposed on said support and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said support, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place thereon.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 in which said pad engaging means comprises integral upstanding studs on said base for engaging apertures in said pad.

10. A memorandum pad holder for clamping engagement with the edge of a supporting surface, said holder comprising a sheet of material to be disposed on said surface and providing a base for a pad, the front edge of said base being turned inwardly in overlying spaced substantially parallel relation to said base to provide a pad clamping member, the rear edge of said clamping member being turned forwardly in overlying relation to said member and downwardly below said base to provide a skirt for engaging the front edge of said surface and the lower edge of said skirt being turned rearwardly and upwardly to provide a support gripping flange whereby with a pad disposed on said base beneath said clamping member said base may be disposed on said support and said flange moved downwardly to slide over and grip the lower surface of said support, such movement serving to move said clamping member downwardly toward said base to clamp said pad in place thereon.

No references cited. 

